Sunday, August 22, 2010

No Holds Barred: The Margarito Scandal

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the ongoing saga of disgraced boxer Antonio Margarito, who was denied a boxing license by the California State Athletic Commission on Wednesday, August 18.

Margarito and his then-trainer, Javier Capetillo, originally had their boxing licenses revoked because a plaster-like substance was found in Margarito's hand wraps just prior to his January 2009 fight with Shane Mosley in Los Angeles. Margarito has claimed that he was unaware that his hand wraps were being loaded by his trainer, although few people have believed him. Margarito reapplied for a license in Nevada, which then deferred to California, and at the California commission hearing on Wednesday, they voted 5-1 not to grant him a license.

Now Margarito's promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, will try to get him licensed in Texas for a proposed November 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Many people in the combat sports world are outraged that Margarito may be allowed to fight again anywhere. Dr. Margaret Goodman, our medical correspondent and the former head of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Medical Advisory Board, wrote us this statement on Thursday, August 19, about the Margarito situation:

"I think it is flat out a disregard for the system in place. If Margarito and his promoter disagree with California's decision, then fight it in court. This is just another reason why safety issues in boxing take a back seat again and again.

"This is a flagrant demonstration of commission jurisdiction-shopping. This should have been a court case from day one. California did their best, and I believe acted fairly in such an egregious situation.

"If Texas grants Margarito a license, this is nothing new, as Texas has done this sort of thing before. But, the ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions) should consider dropping Texas for taking advantage of this situation. I also think that if Pacquiao fights a fighter on suspension, then he should be held accountable as well."

Also, after the ABC issued a statement late Thursday, August 19, which essentially gave Texas the green light to license Margarito, Dr. Goodman wrote us again with this statement:

"It is another reason why boxing regulation is in such trouble. There is no standardization. A fighter can be found by one commission to illegally endanger the life of his opponent yet be heralded by another commission. It is why boxing and MMA will not stop being niche sports until there is true federal oversight."

We thus discuss this ongoing scandal, and what it means for the ever-declining sport of boxing.

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The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.

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